For anything remotely related to skateboarding, We Legendary is the place to go. They are one of…read morethe very few retailers in Manila who has a legitimate Nike SB account. This means that if you want a pair of sneakers from the Nike SB line like Janoskis, Kostons, and limited edition Dunk SBs, you'd have to go through them. For the more limited pairs, a queue is definitely involved so go to the store a bit earlier than you'd normally go unless you have an uncommon shoe size. To complete your whole skate ensemble, they have shirts from popular brands such as Emerica, Thrasher, and Chocolate. If you actually do skate and not just buy skate accessories because they look nice (I won't hold it against you), We Legendary has everything you need to tear up the streets. They sell a variety of skate decks, wheels, Allen bolts, and bearings.

Let it be known that I do not skate. I mean, yes, as a kid I did own a skateboard which I used to…read moreperilously roll down our street, but that's more like asphalt luge than skateboarding. However, there was a brief 2 week period where my sister tried to learn to skate, and I had no choice but to accompany her on her quest to by a longboard. That eventually brought us to Skate of the Nation, a small and unremarkable looking shop in an area beginning to get some buzz. The shop itself, well, there's not much to say. It had skateboards, surfboards, and a bunch of other related... stuff. Normally that would suggest that the place is junk, but for something like boards, it sort of works. That nonchalant simplicity fits perfectly with that particular scene, and the laid back shopkeeper exudes that same vibe. The only hints of color come from the cool boards, just how it should be.

For a straight dude, I love bags. I've never understood how some of my friends can go out of the…read morehouse without carrying a backpack or messenger bag. I mean, where would you put your chargers? What about your tablet, your books, your umbrella? Yes, these things are always with me, and I guess that's why over the years, I've invested in different kinds of bags in all shapes, forms, and sizes. Among my favorites are my Herschel Survey Backpack, my Eagle Creek messenger bag, and my big Muji messenger. The last one I bought in Tokyo, but the other two I found at Bratpack. They've got a good selection, bags that aren't cheap but aren't too expensive either. Good, imported brands, ones that you can take on rugged outdoor trips (not that I go on many of those) but also make you look cool as heck in a semi-corporate setting such as most advertising agencies. Save for my trips out of the country, I don't think I've gotten a bag from any other shop.

When you want a backpack, go to Bratpack. That should be easy enough to remember, and I have to…read morewonder why people don't hire me to become their copywriter. Turns out, Bratpack isn't all about the packs either. Sure, they have brands like Eastpack, Timbuk2, and hipster bag king Herschel, but they also offer other wares that fall in line with their aesthetic. There's Boxfresh and Supra for shoes, and they also have an assortment of apparel from other cool brands. Although it's not quite a concept store, it comes pretty close as it keeps a unified identity while stocking an assortment of different looks. It should serve as an inspiration for any new boutique hoping to hit the mark, though the new kid on the block will have a hard time if Bratpack keep expanding. Curiously, I've never actually bought a pack here, but I feel like they'll solve that problem soon. Get me some damn Topo, guys.

Simulan na ang pagsusuri mo...A store specializing in selling both skateboards and Magic: the…read moreGathering cards seems like a strange combination, but it is one that works for Kick Engines in Cubao. While it may seem that the two hobbies are complete polar opposites, the guys over at Kick Engines believe that the market exists and that they can coexist in the same establishment. For the skating part, Kick Engines sell a wide assortment of skateboard and longboard decks. For the M:tG cards end, they sell a very good selection of singles, with an emphasis on Eternal format staples like Dual Lands and such. If you're from the area, they also hold weekly tournaments for practically every format. Just check out their posted schedules so you can see which days work out for you. Every month, they also hold major events for Legacy, with big prizes for the winners. Hope to see you here!

Just like every other shop I go to when I'm broke, I tend to linger outside and peer into the glass…read morewindow for a prolonged period of time. I used to skate a lot but have been too broke to really "upgrade" my kicks so places like these truly intimidate me. But from a distance (outside the glass display window), Kick Engines has an assortment of skate accessories including really slick decks from Rayne and hella gwapo trucks from I-can't-see-that-far. Sometimes I'd see a bunch of skater tambays and really try hard not to stare at their goods but mostly, heavy and pricey Rayne decks are what I've noticed. Hope to muster enough cash to actually browse inside!

I was in grade school when Tamiya became popular like a bat out of hell. Some anime, I totally…read moreforget the name, was responsible for popularizing it. If there was ever a country that was good at making shows that popularized merchandise it was Japan. Anyway, at its height, a Tamiya was to kids as cars are to grownups. Not that you could actually ride on a Tamiya mind you. Anyway, if you wanted really good parts, then the only place you could ever go to was Lil's. I used to ask a lot of my classmates where the would get their parts and most of them would point me towards Lil's. I'm surprised that this still place still stands. Walking right by it filled me with a certain sense of nostalgia and a desire to get back into an old hobby. I wonder what else they're selling in their store today?

I admit that I was a bit surprised that a store like this still exists. Sure there are plenty of…read morehobby shops out there that still exist. However, only a few such as this one still exist. Courtside is a hobby card store that sells NBA cards, YuGi-Oh, and Pokemon and that's about it. Usually, a hobby store would run a wider gamut of hobby cards like Magic the Gathering, which is probably the most popular trading card game in the country. These things are a rare sight nowadays. I appreciate that it still struggles to survive and sell items which only has a small market. I mean I used to love playing Pokemon as a kid. Back then, it was all the rage. We'd bring these things to school despite the hazard of being caught using them. Seeing this place instilled in me some sense of nostalgia. It made me take a walk down memory lane.

I'm so thankful that someone's concept of a hobby shop included most of my favorite things to play…read morewith, including pets! Unfortunately, this branch of Hobbes and Landes doesn't sell pets per se (there is another store along High Street that does), but they do have a lot of pet accessories that will suit your pet's happiness. They are pretty much one of the few stores that are sure to have a good collection of LEGOs, which brings me back to my childhood. Although they lack a few of the newer Technic models, the rest of the LEGOs have enough variety to satisfy any kid. I also browse through their collection of board games, since they also carry board games that are a bit different from the more famous Monopoly and Game of Life. I enjoy looking through expansions of Dominion and the Settlers of Catan, as a possible birthday gift for a board game newbie. Aside from all the hobby items, they also have a mini frozen yogurt stand inside the actual store, so you can watch your kids play with the LEGOs while the adults enjoy a few scoops. This is a definite stop-over for me during any walk along High Street.

One of the shops in Bonifacio High Street that I always visit even if I'm not going to buy anything…read moreis Hobbes & Landes. There's just so much to see inside! Almost half of the store is dedicated to Lego sets, which is seeing a bit of resurgence nowadays. They've got the coveted Simpsons model house as well as plenty of Star Wars themed ones. The other side of the store is where I usually hang around. This is where you'll see rows upon rows of board games for sale. They're more expensive than other board game places, but there always comes a point where they're the only store which has a particular game in stock so you're forced to buy it. If the weather is particularly hot or you're just waiting for your kid to finish looking around, you can go to the back of the store and have some frozen yogurt. Hobbes & Landes is definitely the best place for kids and the kids at heart.

Build City is basically a toy store that specializes in everything that requires a sort of hands on…read moreapproach to building something. There are models. Then you have Lego and who in this world or in their right mind doesn't love Lego right? Heck you even have those insane thousand piece like puzzles which you think is too difficult or just plain borderline insane to solve. It's fun walking into this kind of store. When I grow up and have a kid I fully intend to get him something from this store. Toys like these are often underrated and are actually good for kids. It helps stimulate their brain and promote and instill in them some sense of creativity and foresight. If you're a parent who wants to raise your kid right, then I strongly suggest that you get them something from this store. I don't think you can go wrong with doing so.

With board games making comeback, are you wondering where you can buy your own? First stop for most…read moretabletop gamers would be Neutral Grounds. Boardgames, Magic the Gathering and other LCGs (Living Card Games) are readily available, and they sell gaming accessories like dice, protective card sleeves, containers for small game pieces, and figurines (for games like Dungeons and Dragons). Some of the bigger branches (like the one in Centris Walk) have a gaming area too! Their staff are pretty familiar with most of the games they carry, so you can ask them about expansions and other editions of the game. If the game you want isn't available, you can leave your contact number with them, make a reservation, and they'll inform you when they get a copy. No down payment needed but if they message you be sure to confirm your reservation right away, or they might have to sell the game to a ready buyer!

Neutral Grounds has existed way before the tabletop gaming boom in recent times, so they could…read moreprobably have a big fat "Uh yeah, we were here first" sign hanging over their shops. Though I've always known them more as a place for Magic The Gathering cards and Warhammer models and their corresponding supplies: card boxes and sleeves, or paint sets and dice, I've seen them gain a little more steam with all the gaming places that have popped up all over the metro. I've noticed that the stuff they sell are a tad more expensive than you would in the gaming places, but not by much. And since Neutral Grounds is almost everywhere, getting a great game from them would probably be easier as well. This branch is particularly chock full of games that would probably be harder to come by in other branches, since it is in Virra Mall, Greenhills, and come now, how many people actually end up here, at the third floor of Virra Mall, Greenhills?